American Airlines Overhauls Executive Team to Bridge Performance Gap

In a letter to employees, American Airlines chief Robert Isom said the airline faces a defining moment and must narrow the distance between its present performance and its aspirations. To that end, four executives - Heather Garboden, JC Gulbranson, Caroline Clayton and Steve Neuman - are being added to the senior leadership roster, and three senior officers - Kevin Brickner, Ron DeFeo and Nate Gatten - will depart. Nat Pieper, the chief commercial officer, will now also oversee marketing, brand, advertising and partnerships, with Garboden reporting to him and taking on reservations, contact centers, service recovery and catering.

Gulbranson’s portfolio expands to include airports and planning, while Clayton assumes communications duties and Neuman will manage government affairs and sustainability. Departing leaders include Brickner, a long-time technical operations veteran, DeFeo, the executive vice president of communications and marketing, and Gatten, who oversaw American Eagle and corporate real estate. CFO Devon May will now supervise corporate real estate, and regional operations will report to David Seymour.